Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
THE Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has capped council delegations to the ongoing 2026 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair at five officials per local authority, a move residents say will curb wasteful spending.
In a directive to all councils, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr John Bhasera said the limit seeks to ensure prudent use of public funds amid concerns over excessive travel and accommodation costs.
The permitted delegation must include the town clerk or chief executive officer, mayor or chairperson, public relations officer and two additional staff to support exhibition activities.
The ministry warned that non-compliance would be noted and could affect future participation.
“To ensure coordinated, efficient and cost-effective representation, the ministry directs that each participating local authority limit its delegation to a maximum of five officials: the town clerk, town secretary or chief executive officer; the mayor or chairperson; the public relations officer; and two additional staff to support exhibition activities. This composition is mandatory and applies uniformly to all local authorities attending the fair. Local authorities are expected to adhere strictly to this guidance. Non-compliance will be noted and may affect future participation in such initiatives and exhibitions,” reads part of the letter from Dr Bhasera.
Residents welcomed the order, pointing to past years when councils sent large groups of councillors and senior managers to the fair, straining budgets already weakened by poor service delivery and salary arrears.
Harare Residents Trust executive director Precious Shumba said the guideline addresses the habit of using residents’ money to pay allowances, fuel and hotel bills for officials of little relevance to the event, though he urged the ministry to recognise differences between cities, municipalities and rural councils.
“The ministerial guidelines on council participation at the 2026 ZITF should be viewed in the context of cutting wasteful expenditure. In previous editions, local authorities used residents’ money to pay many councillors and senior managers, irrespective of their relevance to the trade fair. It was mostly about facilitating large allowances, fuel and hotel accommodation for officials, with little benefit to marketing their local authorities. While such guidelines are necessary given the propensity for extravagance, the ministry should recognise the differing sizes and statuses of local authorities — cities, municipalities, towns, local boards and rural district councils,” said Shumba.
Chipinge resident, Mr Godwin Mlambo said council officials were prioritising conferences for personal gain at the expense of service delivery, with some operations stalling due to the absence of key personnel.
“We fully welcome the ministerial guidelines on council attendance at the trade fair, and they should apply to other events. Attendance must be properly budgeted, with residents approving the expenditure. We also need to bring to the ministry’s attention that while senior officials attend fairs and workshops, council operations must remain unimpeded. There have been cases where approval of key service delivery issues, such as fuel for graders, was delayed for a week while waiting for a signatory who was away at a conference,” said Mlambo.
